Sesame seed with wasabi

How to Use Wasabi Sesame Seeds?

Essential for adding zest to a simple bowl of rice, a raw vegetable salad, fish carpaccio, or a dip sauce.

Some Recipe Ideas with Wasabi Sesame Seeds

• - Grilled Salmon with Wasabi Sesame Seeds: Mix wasabi sesame seeds with soy sauce, honey, and ginger. Marinate salmon fillets in this mixture, then grill them. Sprinkle with additional sesame seeds before serving.
• - Chicken Skewers with Wasabi Sesame Seeds: Coat chicken pieces in a soy and honey sauce. Thread them onto skewers, then grill them. Sprinkle with wasabi sesame seeds before serving.
• - Wasabi and Sesame Coleslaw: Add wasabi sesame seeds to shredded cabbage salad. Prepare a dressing with wasabi, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and honey for a crunchy and spicy dish.
• - Wasabi and Sesame Dip Sauce: Mix wasabi sesame seeds with Greek yogurt and wasabi to create a spicy and creamy dip sauce. Perfect for accompanying fresh vegetables or chicken sticks.

Wasabi Sesame Seeds: A Fusion of Spicy Flavors

Wasabi sesame seeds combine the distinct flavors of sesame, with its roasted nutty notes, and wasabi, bringing spicy heat and herbal nuances. These seeds offer a dynamic taste experience, balancing the spiciness of wasabi with the richness of sesame. Often salted to intensify flavors, these seeds add a spicy and umami dimension to a variety of dishes.

The Spicy Origins of Wasabi

Wasabi, botanically known as Wasabia japonica, is a plant in the Brassicaceae family. Native to Japan, wasabi primarily grows in moist, shaded environments along mountain streams. This perennial plant is prized for its fleshy rhizome, which is grated to produce the widely used wasabi paste in Japanese cuisine. Wasabi cultivation is delicate, requiring specific conditions such as shade, clean water, and consistent humidity.

Authentic Wasabi: A Rarity from Japanese Roots

Generally, what we consume as "wasabi" in the West is not authentic but rather a blend of horseradish, strong mustard, and green coloring. True wasabi, sourced from the root of the Wasabia japonica plant, is extremely rare and costly to produce. Its cost reaches approximately 220 euros per kilogram, and it takes at least two years for the root to reach the commercial size of 8 cm. To savor delicious wasabi sesame seeds, it's essential to check the ingredients on the packaging or opt for fresh roots. And for those wondering, wasabi is not a vegetable but rather a condiment made from the root of the same name.

Obtaining Wasabi Sesame Seeds

Wasabi sesame seeds are coated with a wasabi paste prepared by mixing wasabi powder with water. The coated seeds are carefully mixed to ensure even distribution of the wasabi paste. Once dry, they are stored in an airtight container. This product results in a flavor combination, combining the spiciness of wasabi with the crunchy texture of sesame seeds.